Texans’ backup QBs fare well in win over Cowboys

ARLINGTON — Coach Gary Kubiak insisted during the Texans’ preparation for Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys that the backup quarterback job behind Matt Schaub had not been settled.

Kubiak also emphasized to his players some roster spots would be determined by their performance.

Rosters must be reduced to 53 by 3 p.m. Saturday. Expect the Texans (3-1) to keep three quarterbacks.

“There’s a dang good chance we will,” Kubiak said after the Texans defeated the Cowboys 24-6 in the preseason finale. “I don’t think we expose them (waivers) to anybody.”

How could Kubiak justify letting go of T.J. Yates or Case Keenum considering how well they played in preseason?

With the starters serving as affluent cheerleaders, Keenum and Yates sparkled in the victory at AT&T Stadium.

Because Yates replaced Schaub in the last exhibition, Keenum got the start. He played the first half, staking the Texans to a 14-3 lead by competing 9 of 13 (69.2 percent) pass attempts for 128 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw an interception, and his rating was 126.4.

Keenum’s touchdown came on a 27-yard connection with Lestar Jean. That was Jean’s team-high third touchdown reception of preseason.

“He had a few bad plays, but he always comes back and makes good ones,” Kubiak said of Keenum. “He’s got a short memory, and that’s important in this league.”

A breakout summer

This was a breakout preseason for Keenum, an undrafted free agent from the University of Houston who spent his rookie season on the practice squad.

No way the Texans could place Keenum on waivers a second year in a row and hope to sign him to the practice squad again. He’s outplayed that role. Opposing scouts have watched him closely, and they’re like everyone else in that they know Keenum is a legitimate NFL quarterback.

In four preseason games, Keenum was 43-of-63 for 482 yards and three touchdowns.

Keenum wasn’t intercepted, and he wasn’t sacked. That shows he made good decisions with the ball. He showed good mobility to escape the pass rush, and he wasn’t shy about throwing the ball away rather than trying to force it into coverage.

As well as Keenum performed in preseason, Yates was just as good. Thursday was another example. Yates played in the second half, igniting the Texans to a touchdown and field goal.

Yates was 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) for 109 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw an interception, and his rating was 134.3.

“T.J. played with a lot of young players,” Kubiak said. “I told him part of my evaluation process was how he could handle those young guys. Boy, did he get them going, and he played extremely well.”

In four preseason games, Yates was 35-of-50 (70 percent) for 417 yards and four TDs. He wasn’t intercepted, and he was sacked once. Like Keenum, Yates made good decisions and was accurate.

“Both quarterbacks did a great job of protecting the ball in preseason,” Kubiak said. “That’s always a key to our success.

Kubiak’s decision

“Both guys played pretty darn good. Statistically, they’ve both been incredible. Now it’s a matter of us deciding which way we’re going.”

Kubiak meant with the backup job. He has to tell Yates or Keenum he’s not the No. 2 quarterback.

“That’s going to be extremely tough,” Kubiak said.

The prediction here — as it’s been since the start of preseason — is Yates will be the backup, and Keenum will be on the roster. And they’ll compete on the practice field.

“The competition has made both of them a lot better,” Kubiak said. “I want to keep them competitive all year long.”

That would be in practice. If all goes according to plan, Yates and Keenum won’t get on the field this season unless it’s mop-up duty in decisive victories.